Sugar may wreak havoc on your brain in as little as two weeks
In 2019, Danish scientists discovered that sugar can rapidly alter the physical structure of the brain. The researchers fed high doses of sugar to pigs and performed imaging and anatomical studies of their brains. After just one taste, the reward centers of the animals’ brains released opioids, an immediate narcotic-like effect. Within two weeks the structure of their neurons had changed. The altered dopamine and opioid receptors on the surface of the pigs’ neurons became consistent with a brain-based sugar addiction.
In 2020, scientists from New York proved that sugar would still be addictive even if it didn’t taste good. The researchers altered the taste buds of mice to eliminate their sensation of sweetness, but the animals still craved sugar. The vagus nerve (which runs from the brain to the gastrointestinal tract) sensed the chemical structure of the sugar molecule in the lining of the gut and sent electrical signals up to the brainstem (the part of the brain responsible for basic life functions such as breathing). The mice had sugar cravings even though they were deprived of the pleasure of the sweet taste.
check out https://amzn.to/3utS9CG
While grocery shopping yesterday, I bumped into a display of Krispy Kreme donuts. The world stopped. All sound and sensation halted immediately. The donuts had cast their spell on me. I was helpless. Fortunately, one of the dozen packs was dislodged and began to slide off the rack. I had to take action. I caught it before it hit the floor, shoved it onto the top rack, desperately clutched the grocery cart handle, and sped away. Oh, the power of sugar, flour, and grease! Thanks for the neuro-explanation, I actually thought it was witchcraft on Aisle 7.